(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The first total solar eclipse of the sun in the USA since 1979 will take place on Monday, August 21. The Robert J. Novins Planetarium on the Ocean County College Main Campus has events throughout August to celebrate, including a great way to view the eclipse as it takes place.
The Robert J. Novins Planetarium is located at (Bldg #13) on the Ocean County College Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River, NJ. Please park in Parking Lot #2.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sat, Aug 12 and Aug 19, 7pm – Star Talk: The Great American Eclipse. Learn about the First Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun in the USA since 1979 (approximately 75% in NJ) and the first visible eclipse from all 48 contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) since June 8, 1918. A live presenter will show visitors the night sky above New Jersey on the dome and explain what will occur during the eclipse on Mon, Aug 21. Then stop back at the Planetarium on the 21st, from 1 to 4pm, for a FREE “Great American Solar Eclipse Event!” Members of A.S.T.R.A. (Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area) and Planetarium staff will set up specially equipped telescopes to give visitors a safe view of this historical event. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Mon, Aug 21, 1-4pm – The Great American Solar Eclipse Event! Join us for the First Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun in the USA since 1979 and the first visible eclipse from all 48 contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) since June 8, 1918. Members of A.S.T.R.A. (Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area) and Planetarium staff will set up solar telescopes to give visitors a view of this exciting astronomical event! Gazers from New Jersey will unfortunately not be able to see a full total eclipse but will be able to see about 75% of the Sun covered by the Moon. CAUTION: It is very important to never look at the Sun even when mostly covered by the Moon. Special eye protection or solar filters are required to view the eclipse. The Planetarium will set up telescopes with special solar filters so visitors can safely view the eclipse. Tickets: FREE.
SENIOR WEDNESDAYS
Wed, Aug 5, 2pm – First Stargazers. Journey back in time to explore how the first stargazers experienced the sky above. Your guide is Nashira, a friendly time traveler who has visited Earth many times before. Witness the very first stargazer making a Moon calendar out of animal bone 30,000 years ago. Discover the ancient pyramids of Giza and their alignment to the skies. See stunning digital re-creations of the Parthenon, Alexandria Library, Stonehenge, and Abu Simbel Temple, and be inspired by the first stargazers who laid down the foundations of modern-day astronomy.Tickets: $10 includes show, coffee, tea, and cookies.
Wed, Aug 9, 2pm – The Great American Eclipse. Learn about the First Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun in the USA since 1979 (approximately 75% in NJ) and the first visible eclipse from all 48 contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) since June 8, 1918. Then stop back at the Planetarium on Mon, Aug 21, 1-4pm for the FREE“Great American Solar Eclipse Event” to view this exciting astronomical event through solar telescopes! Members of A.S.T.R.A. (Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area) and planetarium staff will set up specially equipped telescopes to give visitors a safe view of this historical event. Tickets: $10 includes show, coffee, tea, and cookies.
Wed, Aug 23, 2pm – Dawn of The Space Age with Star Talk. Take a look back at both the Russian and American ventures into the cosmos from the launch of Sputnik to the American Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle programs, missions to Mars and the outer planets. Learn about the International Space Station, private space exploration ventures and the possible future of human exploration. Beyond the technology, you will also be inspired by the drive, and perseverance of the men and women who took part in these death defying endeavors. Tickets: $10 includes show, coffee, tea, and cookies.
Wed, Aug 30, 2pm – Show to Be Announced. Check the Planetarium webpage for updates. Tickets: $10 includes show, coffee, tea, and cookies.
KIDS SHOWS
Sat, Aug 5, 12, 19, 26, 12:30pm – The Stars from My Backyard: Live Star Talk for Kids! (Ages 10 and under)Beginning with a beautiful sunrise, children learn about the sun, moon, weather, constellations, and planets visible in the current sky. Along the way, fun stories, songs, and even a passing rainstorm help make this an exciting introduction to the sky for young children. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Sat, Aug 12, 2pm – Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef (Ages 10 and under) Children will be transported to a tropical reef to join Jake and Shorty, two adventurous and humorous fish, on an animated quest to restore the magic of their reef that will protect it from man’s destruction. Visitors witness a one of a kind underwater world that is full of adventure, danger, and riddles. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Sat, Aug 12 and Aug 26, 11:30am – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure (Ages 7 and under) Join Sesame Street’s Big Bird, Elmo, and Hu Zhu, a Muppet from China, as they explore the night sky. They’ll take children on a journey of discovery and imagination to learn about the Moon, Earth, bright stars, and constellations. Our live presenter will also give a brief tour of the night sky over New Jersey so kids can learn where to look for some of the constellations and visible planets of the season. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Fri, Aug 18 – Premiere Movie Event! So You Want to Be an Astronaut? At 6pm, learn what it takes to become an astronaut. Children (ages 4 & up) can visit each station to learn about requirements astronauts must meet to qualify to travel into space. From nutrition to gravity, children will have fun seeing if they have what it takes to travel into the stars! At 7pm, the new movie Defying Gravity will be shown in the dome theater. This all new full dome showuncovers the mysteries of gravity and features Apollo Aurora and her robot correspondents Apple 1-6-8-6 and EGR-1. This program explores rocket power, gravity on other planets, monstrous black holes, and even what keeps us grounded on Earth! Tickets: $10 all seats.
Sat, Aug 19, 11:30am – DinoStars! Live Star Talk. Learn about the skies above New Jersey and the “dinosaurs” constellations that can be seen! Will you be able to find your favorite dinosaur among the stars? Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Sat, Aug 19, 2pm – Defying Gravity. This all new full dome show uncovers the mysteries of gravity and features Apollo Aurora and her robot correspondents Apple 1-6-8-6 and EGR-1. This program explores rocket power, gravity on other planets, monstrous black holes, and even what keeps us grounded on Earth! Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
GENERAL ADMISSION SHOW
Sat, Aug 5, 7pm – Wonders of the Summer Sky (Ages 8 and over) Join our live Planetarium presenter for an in-depth tour of our current sky over New Jersey! This ever-changing program explores the season’s constellations, bright stars, visible planets, deep sky objects, and celestial highlights. Constellation mythology and recent events are also included. Prepare to ask questions and even answer them as our live presenter creates an informal atmosphere for your enjoyment of the current seasonal sky. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
LASER SHOWS
Sat, Aug 12, 8:30pm – Laser Vinyl captures the pure intent of the laser show experience: accompanying a fantastic musical concert representing the best of classic rock in some of the most beautiful and stunning laser art! Reminisce, tap your feet and enjoy a truly fantastic audio-visual event that will rock your body, mind and soul! Artists include AC/DC, Van Halen, Queen, Kansas, Kiss, Aerosmith, Boston, Journey, Pink Floyd, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Sat, Aug 19, 8:30pm – Laser Bon Jovi. After ushering in the era of pop-metal with their hit singles, Bon Jovi grew out of the big-haired ’80s to become one of the biggest American rock bands of its time, occasionally hitting on the Adult Contemporary charts without ever turning away from hard rock, proving how they never lost their roots and became second only to Bruce Springsteen in defining the spirit and sound of New Jersey Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
Sat, Aug 26, 2pm – Laser ElectroPop. Prepare your senses for you are about to experience an audio-visual onslaught of intense laser light set to today’s hottest streaming hits! From synth pop heavies like Lady Gaga and Daft Punk to alt-rockin’ Bastille and Grouplove, this show has it all. Other artists include Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Tiesto, and Pharrell Williams, along with Afrojack, The Chainsmokers, Lil Jon & DJ Snake, and Lorde. So sit back and let the laser show do the work! Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 – SUMMER LASER FEST
6pm, Laser Beatles – The Fab Four’s best spanning six years/11 albums becomes the background for dazzling laser-art and spectacular digital and analog effects. All ages will appreciate this fantasy tribute of music and light to The Beatles and how they helped define a generation. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
7:15pm, Laser Led Zeppelin (May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable. Not recommended for ages under 15.) – Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock; their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the ’60s and ’70s. The group has been hailed as one of the most successful, innovative, and influential bands, alongside Pink Floyd, U2, and The Beatles. Relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni.
8:30pm, Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon – Dark Side of the Moon offers a mix of psychedelic, rock, and jazz sounds. Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric sound-scapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance. When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
9:45pm, Laser Pink Floyd: The Wall – Always a crowd favorite, The Wall is considered to be one of the best classic rock albums of all time. It’s a timeless classic, and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni; $7 children 12 & under.
11pm, Laser Metallica (May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable. Not recommended for ages under 15.) – Metal meets lasers! And it is intense! The theater shakes with the awesome hits from Metallica! Now Metallica’s tempos, instrumentals, themes and sounds are joined with laser lights. Your pulse and body will pound as the music fills both your ears and eyes. Tickets: $10 adults; $8 Seniors/OCC Alumni.
To purchase tickets, visit the Novins Planetarium webpage at www.ocean.edu. Tickets also go on sale at the door ½ hour before our first show. They accept all major credit cards.
